The dream of a new Chickerell play area comes true (From Dorset Echo)

The dream of a new Chickerell play area comes true

9:05am Friday 11th March 2011 in Community

EXCITEMENT is in the air in Chickerell as the children celebrate the news from Chickerell Town Council that the eagerly awaited play area and multi-use games area will soon be built.

Work started at Willowbed Field on Wednesday, March 9. Depending on weather conditions, the work will take up to six to eight weeks and will be carried out by experts from Monster Play Systems Ltd of Watford. The company has been appointed by Chickerell Town Council, which owns and manages the field. Everyone will be able to continue using the field as the areas of work will be fenced off for safety.

Chickerell’s deputy mayor, Coun Brian Bean said: “It’s so exciting that construction can start for a project that we’ve all worked so hard for. These much needed play facilities will soon be ready.”

Coun Bean celebrated the commencement of the works with fellow Town Councillors, West Dorset District Councillors, Dorset County Councillor, local school children, local community group representatives and the Chickerell Primary School headteacher.

The local community group Chickerell@Play raised £11,000 towards the overall budget of £166,000 for the scheme. The rest of the funding is coming through Dorset County Council, West Dorset District Council, Chickerell Town Council and Chickerell Primary School. The new Chickerell Youth Forum, Youfirst, is raising funds for seating on the field that the whole community can use.

West Dorset District Council Leader, Robert Gould said: “We were delighted to be able to give £92,000 so that the new play area with a multi-use games court could be built. The district council is one of the very few councils in the country who are not cutting services, still supporting community initiatives like this while also freezing council tax. This facility will be a great addition to the community of Chickerell.”

Chickerell@Play thanked everyone that had supported the project and said: “The new recreational facilities in Chickerell are the direct result of a true collaboration between Chickerell Town Council, the community and the school.”

WITH the prospect of the Chickerell Library closure, residents met on Monday, March 7 and have formed a Friends of the Library group.

If you are interested in joining them please contact Jeff Mogg on 788845

ON Saturday, March 26 volunteers are being asked to give the library PETO Memorial garden a bit of love and tender care.

If you have a spare morning or even just half-an-hour please go along and help out between 10am and noon. Equipment and gloves will be provided on the day.

For further information please contact Brian Bean on 770678.

Whilst the tidy up is happening the library will be open and will be focusing on a ‘Garden Theme’ with something interesting going on for the youngsters.